NFC West - 2_Arizona Cardinals1

Baltimore Ravens Gameday HQ

NFC WEST
CARDINALS
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Good running backs, great receivers, superhuman
defensive backs
Cardinals Offense
The 34-year-old Carson Palmer has become as dependable a
quarterback as they come, pretty much putting up 60-percent,
270-yard, 80-rating passing performances annually for either
the Raiders’ or Cards’ lackluster offenses. However, in 2014,
Palmer has reason for playoff optimism. With Larry Fitzgerald,
Michael Floyd and Andre Ellington, Palmer has three of the most
complete all-around skilled players who may help the team start
generating closer to 400 yards.
The 30-year-old Fitzgerald is the face of the franchise, but is
also the heart and soul of the team, as its hardest worker, most
consistent performer and the man who is as likely to be voted to
the Pro Bowl team for his blocking as his pass-catching skills.
The 24-year-old Floyd is the Cards’ third-year pro who
became the team’s 1,000-yard receiver last season, finally giving
Fitz—and Palmer—some relief. Don’t be surprised if Fitz & Floyd
become the top receiving tandem in 2014—replacing the Bears
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Special teams, iffy offensive line and
new players on D
ARIZONA
Brandon Marshall and Alshon
Jeffery—with many believing
the Cards rushing game—
featuring Ellington, Stepfan
Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer—is
now strong enough to give
signal-caller Palmer options.
Left tackle Jared Veldheer
leads a line that should be
improved, but still has a lot to
prove in this soon-to-be-stellar
season. The main thing that
stopped Arizona in 2013 was
too many turnovers (31, which
ranked 26th in the NFL). With
young stars coming into their
own and old stars hanging on,
in hopes of one more Super
Bowl, don’t count out this
house of Cards just yet.
Offensive
Player To Watch
CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
In the second half of the 2013 season, Ellington went from passcatching
third-down back to featured full-time running back when
the 25-year-old memorably replaced injured Rashard Mendenhall
by gaining 154 yards on 15 carries versus Atlanta. From that point
on, Ellington got his fair share of handoffs, averaging 4.3 yards
per rush on 11.3 carries per game. ProFootballFocus.com said
only Donald Brown had more yards after contact per carry (100
minimum) than Ellington, who also rated fifth in PFF’s Elusive
Ratings, just below Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. With a
better offensive line in front of Ellington in 2014, and a better corps
of substitute running backs behind him—not to mention a good
passing game—look for the 5-9, 199-pound Ellington to make a big
name for himself all season long.
Cardinals Defense
The advanced analytics crowd knew something was special
about these 2013 Cardinals when their team defense numbers
Larry Fitzgerald